US10695606B2 - Exercise treadmill - Google Patents

Exercise treadmill Download PDF

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Publication number
US10695606B2
US10695606B2 US15/833,991 US201715833991A US10695606B2 US 10695606 B2 US10695606 B2 US 10695606B2 US 201715833991 A US201715833991 A US 201715833991A US 10695606 B2 US10695606 B2 US 10695606B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
treadmill
shaft
pulleys
frame
roller tube
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Active, expires
Application number
US15/833,991
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English (en)
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US20190168067A1 (en
Inventor
Roger Bates
Marko Vujicic
Gregory Allen Wallace
Mark William Chiles
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Lifecore Fitness LLC
Lifecore Fitness Inc
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Lifecore Fitness Inc
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Priority to US15/833,991 priority Critical patent/US10695606B2/en
Assigned to LIFECORE FITNESS, INC. reassignment LIFECORE FITNESS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHILES, MARK, BATES, Roger, WALLACE, GREGORY ALLEN, VUJICIC, MARKO
Priority to JP2020524580A priority patent/JP7296376B2/ja
Priority to MX2020005581A priority patent/MX2020005581A/es
Priority to KR1020207015446A priority patent/KR102618077B1/ko
Priority to CA3082996A priority patent/CA3082996A1/en
Priority to CN201880075264.XA priority patent/CN111432897B/zh
Priority to HRP20241489TT priority patent/HRP20241489T1/hr
Priority to ES18887185T priority patent/ES2991908T3/es
Priority to EP18887185.9A priority patent/EP3720574B1/de
Priority to AU2018378042A priority patent/AU2018378042B2/en
Priority to BR112020010776-0A priority patent/BR112020010776B1/pt
Priority to HUE18887185A priority patent/HUE069187T2/hu
Priority to PCT/US2018/056395 priority patent/WO2019112694A1/en
Priority to PL18887185.9T priority patent/PL3720574T3/pl
Priority to CN202310306495.XA priority patent/CN116351004A/zh
Publication of US20190168067A1 publication Critical patent/US20190168067A1/en
Priority to ZA2020/02148A priority patent/ZA202002148B/en
Priority to US16/906,195 priority patent/US11554290B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US10695606B2 publication Critical patent/US10695606B2/en
Priority to MX2024002762A priority patent/MX2024002762A/es
Assigned to WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION reassignment WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: LIFECORE FITNESS, INC.
Priority to US18/095,792 priority patent/US11759673B2/en
Priority to JP2023095961A priority patent/JP7506803B2/ja
Priority to AU2023203925A priority patent/AU2023203925B2/en
Priority to US18/369,701 priority patent/US12161908B2/en
Assigned to LIFECORE FITNESS, INC. reassignment LIFECORE FITNESS, INC. RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Assigned to ACP POST OAK CREDIT II LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT reassignment ACP POST OAK CREDIT II LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LIFECORE FITNESS, LLC
Assigned to LIFECORE FITNESS, LLC reassignment LIFECORE FITNESS, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LIFECORE FITNESS, INC
Priority to US18/923,126 priority patent/US20250041659A1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B1/00—Horizontal bars
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
    • A63B21/157—Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4027—Specific exercise interfaces
    • A63B21/4033—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4041—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills
    • A63B2022/0278—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills with reversible direction of the running surface
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
    • A63B2071/065—Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B2071/0694—Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
    • A63B21/151—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
    • A63B21/154—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains using special pulley-assemblies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/0002—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements involving an exercising of arms
    • A63B22/001—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements involving an exercising of arms by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase
    • A63B22/0012—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements involving an exercising of arms by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills
    • A63B22/0285—Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/20—Distances or displacements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/30—Speed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
    • A63B2220/83—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor characterised by the position of the sensor
    • A63B2220/833—Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/74—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2230/00—Measuring physiological parameters of the user
    • A63B2230/04—Measuring physiological parameters of the user heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
    • A63B2230/06—Measuring physiological parameters of the user heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations heartbeat rate only
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2230/00—Measuring physiological parameters of the user
    • A63B2230/75—Measuring physiological parameters of the user calorie expenditure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D41/00—Freewheels or freewheel clutches
    • F16D41/06—Freewheels or freewheel clutches with intermediate wedging coupling members between an inner and an outer surface

Definitions

  • This document generally relates to the field of exercise treadmills and techniques for mounting components to allow rotation of pulleys in one direction and to prevent rotation of pulleys in the opposite direction. This document also relates to facilitating appropriate hand placement on treadmill handlebars and corresponding foot placement on treadmill belt.
  • a typical treadmill has a looped running belt supported on each end by a roller assembly that rotates to allow a person (the treadmill user) to run, jog, or walk.
  • Treadmills particularly of the manual (i.e., non-motorized) type, may be curved, to allow variation in exercise intensity.
  • Manual treadmills preferably do not allow significant movement of the looped belt in the reverse direction, i.e., movement of the top surface from back to front. Preventing movement in the reverse direction may be achieved by installing a one-way clutch (a k a one-way bearing) on one of the roller assemblies.
  • a need in the art also exists for new and better designs of roller assemblies that allow rotation in one direction and prevent significant rotation in the opposite direction.
  • a need in the art exists for techniques that help the user to coordinate treadmill handlebars gripping locations with the desired intensity and/or step length.
  • Embodiments, variants, and examples described in this document are directed to apparatus and methods that may satisfy one or more of the above described needs and/or other needs.
  • Select examples show treadmills with stationary shaft and rotating roller.
  • a treadmill in an embodiment, includes a frame.
  • the treadmill also includes a looped running belt.
  • the treadmill additionally includes a first roller assembly that has a first roller tube, a first rotating pulley and a second rotating pulley mounted on the first roller tube so that the first and second rotating pulleys rotate together with the first roller tube, a first shaft fixedly mounted on the frame so that the first shaft does not rotate with the first and second rotating pulleys and the first roller tube, a first load bearing, a second load bearing, and a one-way device.
  • the treadmill further includes a second roller assembly mounted on the frame.
  • the looped running belt is supported by the second roller assembly, the first rotating pulley, and the second rotating pulley, so that the first and second rotating pulleys rotate with movement of the looped running belt.
  • the first load bearing and the second load bearing are disposed between the first roller tube and the first shaft, so that the first roller tube and the first and second pulleys can rotate around the first shaft.
  • the one-way device comprises an inner ring and an outer ring, the inner ring being fixedly coupled to the first shaft not to rotate on the first shaft, the outer ring is fixedly coupled to the roller tube to allow the roller tube to rotate in a first direction around the first shaft and to prevent the roller tube from rotating around the first shaft in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the first and second directions being such that top surface of the looped running belt can move from front of the treadmill to rear of the treadmill and the top surface is prevented from moving from the rear of the treadmill to the front of the treadmill.
  • a treadmill in an embodiment, includes a frame; a looped running belt; and a first roller assembly comprising a first rotating pulley and a second rotating pulley, a second roller assembly comprising a third rotating pulley and a fourth rotating pulley, the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly being mounted on the frame, the looped running belt being supported by the first rotating pulley, the second rotating pulley, the third rotating pulley, and the fourth rotating pulley.
  • the first roller assembly also comprises means for allowing top surface of the running belt to move from front to rear of the treadmill and for preventing the top surface from moving from rear to front of the treadmill.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating selected components and features of a curved treadmill, in accordance with selected aspects of this disclosure
  • FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are perspective views of the treadmill of FIG. 1 with side shrouds removed;
  • FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are perspective views of the treadmill of FIG. 1 with the shrouds and the looped running belt removed;
  • FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the treadmill of FIG. 1 with the shrouds and the looped running belt removed;
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the front roller assembly of the treadmill of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the treadmill of FIG. 1 with a number of components removed.
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a treadmill with color-coded vertical hand grip positions and corresponding color coded front foot placement positions.
  • the words “embodiment,” “variant,” “example,” and similar words and expressions as used herein refer to a particular apparatus, process, or article of manufacture, and not necessarily to the same apparatus, process, or article of manufacture.
  • “one embodiment” (or a similar expression) used in one place or context may refer to a particular apparatus, process, or article of manufacture; the same or a similar expression in a different place or context may refer to a different apparatus, process, or article of manufacture.
  • the expression “alternative embodiment” and similar words and phrases are used to indicate one of a number of different possible embodiments, variants, or examples. The number of possible embodiments, variants, or examples is not necessarily limited to two or any other quantity.
  • Characterization of an item as “exemplary” means that the item is used as an example. Such characterization does not necessarily mean that the embodiment, variant, or example is a preferred one; the embodiment, variant, or example may but need not be a currently preferred embodiment, variant, or example. All embodiments, variants, and examples are described for illustration purposes and do not necessarily strictly limit the invention(s) disclosed.
  • a “one-way device” refers to a one-way sprocket or a one-way clutch (a k a “one-way clutch bearing” or “one-way bearing”) or analogous type of ratcheting mechanism that allows rotation in one direction only.
  • a “one-way clutch” means a sprag clutch, a rolling element that allows rotation in one direction but locks up to prevent movement in the other direction.
  • a sprag clutch typically employs spring-loaded sprag rollers that allow one element to freewheel around another element, until the rotation direction is reversed.
  • a curved treadmill allows a user to walk/jog/run on a curved surface, for example, a surface that varies the incline from substantially flat horizontal (zero degrees) or even a slight negative setting (decline, say a decline of less than 10 degrees) to an incline that provides substantial increase in the exercise intensity, for example, 8-30 degrees from horizontal.
  • a curved surface for example, a surface that varies the incline from substantially flat horizontal (zero degrees) or even a slight negative setting (decline, say a decline of less than 10 degrees) to an incline that provides substantial increase in the exercise intensity, for example, 8-30 degrees from horizontal.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating selected components of a curved treadmill 100 .
  • the treadmill 100 is a motorless treadmill.
  • the treadmill 100 includes handlebars 105 attached to handlebar mounts 110 A/ 110 B, electronic monitor/controller module 115 attached substantially at the center of the handlebars 105 , a looped belt 120 made of a large number (e.g., 40-100) of individual slats 125 , and protective shrouds 130 A and 130 B on the sides of the treadmill.
  • Step boards 122 A and 122 B on the tops of the shrouds 130 A and 130 B, respectively, provide traction surfaces that the user can step on when mounting and dismounting from the treadmill 100 .
  • a raising bar 155 at the rear of the treadmill 100 allows the user to lift the rear of the treadmill 100 off the floor and move the treadmill 100 on its front wheels.
  • FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are perspective views of the treadmill 100 with the shrouds 130 A and 130 B removed.
  • the treadmill 100 further includes a longitudinal frame bar 135 A on the left side; another longitudinal frame bar 135 B (not shown in these Figures) is analogous to the frame bar 135 A mutatis mutandis and is disposed in a similar position on the right side of the treadmill 100 .
  • Later and “right” have been arbitrarily selected with reference to a user as the user would be walking/jogging/running forward on the treadmill 100 .
  • Vertical supports 138 A, 140 A, and 142 A support the curved assembly on the left side.
  • analogous arrangement mutatis mutandis is on the right side of the treadmill 100 .
  • the treadmill 100 rests on front wheels 145 A and 145 B, and on adjustable non-wheeled supports in the rear 150 A (on the left side) and 150 B (on the right side, shown in FIG. 4 ).
  • FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are perspective views of the treadmill 100 with the shrouds 130 A/ 130 B and the belt 120 removed, providing a better view of frame cross-members 160 A/ 160 B/ 160 C, which can be seen extending between the longitudinal frame bars 135 A/ 135 B. These Figures also show portions of a multi-component front roller assembly 170 and a multi-component rear roller assembly 190 .
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of the treadmill 100 .
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the front roller assembly 170 , along the section AA (which is shown in FIG. 6 ).
  • a shaft 172 At the center of the front roller assembly is a shaft 172 .
  • Through holes 174 A and 174 B on the ends of the shaft 172 receive bolts that secure the shaft 172 to the frame of the treadmill 100 .
  • the shaft 100 is not intended to rotate relative to the frame in response to the movement of the belt 120 .
  • Oval indentation 176 in the surface of the shaft 172 is designed to receive a key that can be press-fit into the indentation 176 ; the key is intended to protrude from the shaft 172 and to fit into a corresponding bearing keyway on the surface of the inner ring of a one-way clutch bearing 178 , fixing (preventing rotation of) the inner ring of the one-way clutch 178 relative to the shaft 172 . It is possible to manufacture the shaft with the key being integral to the shaft.
  • a roller tube 180 surrounds the shaft 172 . It may be machined from metal, e.g., steel or iron.
  • a cylindrical metal insert 181 A is press-fitted inside the roller tube 180 .
  • the one-way clutch 178 is press-fitted inside the insert 181 A.
  • the insert 181 A also receives a conventional (not one-way) load bearing 182 A.
  • the bearing 182 A may also be press-fitted into the insert 181 A.
  • a pulley 183 A is fixedly attached (e.g., glued) onto the roller tube 180 .
  • another pulley 183 B is fixedly attached (e.g., glued) onto the roller tube 180 , and a second cylindrical metal insert 181 B is press-fitted inside the roller tube 180 .
  • the pulleys 183 A/B may be injection molded plastic.
  • the second metal insert 181 B receives a second conventional load bearing 182 B, which may be press-fitted inside the insert 181 B.
  • the second insert 181 B may be (but need not be) shorter than the first insert 181 A, because there is no need for a second one-way clutch. (Of course, a second one-way clutch may also be employed on the right side.)
  • the pulleys 183 A and 183 B support the belt 120 , which on its inside has two sets of guiding protrusions running along the belt 120 .
  • the guiding protrusions are set at such a width that each fits between the flanges of its corresponding pulley 183 A or 183 B.
  • FIG. 8 which is another perspective view of the treadmill 100 with the shrouds 130 A/B and the belt 120 removed, there are rows 185 A and 185 B of supporting/guiding bearings interspersed with guiding pulleys, along the sides of the step boards 122 A/ 122 B of the treadmill 100 .
  • the bearings and pulleys of the rows 185 A/B support the belt 120 and, together with the flanges of the pulleys 183 A/B guide (prevent excessive side slippage of) the belt 120 .
  • the guiding protrusions of the belt 120 fit between the flanges of the guiding pulleys of the rows 185 A/B.
  • the roller tube 180 In operation, the roller tube 180 would be free to rotate around the shaft 172 in either direction, but for the presence of the one-way clutch 178 .
  • the one-way clutch 178 allows rotation only in one direction. Viewed from the left side of the treadmill 100 , the roller tube 180 and the pulleys 183 A and 183 B can rotate clockwise, to allow the top surface of the belt 120 to move from the front to the rear of the treadmill 100 as the user walks/jogs/runs forward on the belt 120 .
  • the rear roller assembly 190 may be quite similar to the front roller assembly 170 .
  • the assembly 190 need not include a one-way clutch or another one-way device, because the belt 120 should not have significant movement in the undesirable direction due to the one-way clutch 178 on the front roller assembly 170 .
  • the rear roller assembly 190 may also differ significantly from the front roller assembly 170 ; for example, the rear roller assembly may have pulleys mounted on a rotating shaft supported by a pair of bearings mounted in the frame of the treadmill.
  • each side of the rear roller assembly 190 is analogous to the right side of the front roller assembly 170 .
  • a one-way clutch (or another one-way device) is installed on one, two, three, or all four ends of the roller assemblies 170 and/or 190 .
  • the treadmill is a motorless treadmill, while in other embodiments the treadmill is motorized.
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a treadmill 900 with color-coded vertical hand grip positions and corresponding color-coded front foot placement positions.
  • the treadmill 900 (which is curved in the shown embodiment) includes a looped running belt 920 , handlebars 905 , handlebar mounts 910 A/ 910 B, shrouds 930 A/ 930 B, and electronic monitor/controller module 915 .
  • the treadmill 900 also includes vertical grips 999 A and 999 B, which may be fastened in different positions on the handlebars 905 .
  • the vertical grips 999 A/B may be fastened in different positions using, for example, locking screws. In the shown embodiment, there are three positions on each side for the vertical grips.
  • bands 992 A and 992 B may be yellow; bands 993 A and 993 B may be orange; and bands 994 A and 994 B may be red.
  • Corresponding color strips are disposed on each side of the belt 920 .
  • color strips 998 A and 998 B may be yellow; color strips 997 A and 997 B may be may be orange; and color strips 996 A and 996 B may be red.
  • the color strips may be glued, e.g., on the shrouds 930 A/ 930 B at the sides of the belt 920 .
  • each color strip includes one or more LEDs of appropriate color (red LED for a red strip, orange LED for orange strip, etc.).
  • the placement of the color bands 992 / 993 / 994 and the color strips 996 / 997 / 998 are “corresponding” in the sense that, for a user (the specific user in the case the placements are user-adjustable, or an average user), appropriate placements of the vertical grips 999 A/B and the strips 1096 / 1097 / 1098 are indicated by the same color for a given exercise level.
  • yellow may correspond to walking
  • orange may correspond to jogging
  • red may correspond to running.
  • the electronic monitor/controller module may include a display and may be connected to sensor(s) (such as a speed sensor and/or a load sensor and/or a heart rate sensor), to provide information to the user of the treadmill regarding the user's workout.
  • the information may include speed, distance, total caloric expenditure, current caloric burn rate, current heart rate, highest heart rate achieved during the workout, and other data.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Stabilization Of Oscillater, Synchronisation, Frequency Synthesizers (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Mechanical Vibrations Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)
US15/833,991 2017-12-06 2017-12-06 Exercise treadmill Active 2038-07-26 US10695606B2 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/833,991 US10695606B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2017-12-06 Exercise treadmill
CN202310306495.XA CN116351004A (zh) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 运动跑步机
MX2020005581A MX2020005581A (es) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Caminadora para ejercicio.
KR1020207015446A KR102618077B1 (ko) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 운동 트레드밀
CA3082996A CA3082996A1 (en) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Exercise treadmill
CN201880075264.XA CN111432897B (zh) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 运动跑步机
HRP20241489TT HRP20241489T1 (hr) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Traka za trčanje
ES18887185T ES2991908T3 (es) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Cinta de correr para hacer ejercicio
EP18887185.9A EP3720574B1 (de) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Trainingslaufband
AU2018378042A AU2018378042B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Exercise treadmill
BR112020010776-0A BR112020010776B1 (pt) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Esteira de exercício
HUE18887185A HUE069187T2 (hu) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Futópad
PCT/US2018/056395 WO2019112694A1 (en) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Exercise treadmill
PL18887185.9T PL3720574T3 (pl) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 Bieżnia do ćwiczeń
JP2020524580A JP7296376B2 (ja) 2017-12-06 2018-10-18 エクササイズトレッドミル
ZA2020/02148A ZA202002148B (en) 2017-12-06 2020-05-04 Exercise treadmill
US16/906,195 US11554290B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2020-06-19 Exercise treadmill
MX2024002762A MX2024002762A (es) 2017-12-06 2020-07-13 Caminadora para ejercicio.
US18/095,792 US11759673B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2023-01-11 Exercise treadmill
JP2023095961A JP7506803B2 (ja) 2017-12-06 2023-06-12 エクササイズトレッドミル
AU2023203925A AU2023203925B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2023-06-21 Exercise treadmill
US18/369,701 US12161908B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2023-09-18 Exercise treadmill
US18/923,126 US20250041659A1 (en) 2017-12-06 2024-10-22 Exercise treadmill

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US18/095,792 Active US11759673B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2023-01-11 Exercise treadmill
US18/369,701 Active US12161908B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2023-09-18 Exercise treadmill
US18/923,126 Pending US20250041659A1 (en) 2017-12-06 2024-10-22 Exercise treadmill

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US18/095,792 Active US11759673B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2023-01-11 Exercise treadmill
US18/369,701 Active US12161908B2 (en) 2017-12-06 2023-09-18 Exercise treadmill
US18/923,126 Pending US20250041659A1 (en) 2017-12-06 2024-10-22 Exercise treadmill

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JP (2) JP7296376B2 (de)
KR (1) KR102618077B1 (de)
CN (2) CN116351004A (de)
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JP2023120263A (ja) 2023-08-29
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US12161908B2 (en) 2024-12-10
US11554290B2 (en) 2023-01-17
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HUE069187T2 (hu) 2025-02-28
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US20240001192A1 (en) 2024-01-04
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US20190168067A1 (en) 2019-06-06
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CN111432897A (zh) 2020-07-17
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US11759673B2 (en) 2023-09-19
US20250041659A1 (en) 2025-02-06
AU2023203925B2 (en) 2024-10-31
BR112020010776A2 (pt) 2020-11-24
JP7296376B2 (ja) 2023-06-22
WO2019112694A1 (en) 2019-06-13
ES2991908T3 (es) 2024-12-05
KR20200096761A (ko) 2020-08-13
HRP20241489T1 (hr) 2025-01-03
CN116351004A (zh) 2023-06-30
PL3720574T3 (pl) 2025-02-10
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US20230158364A1 (en) 2023-05-25

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